Arraignment
Arraignment is a common law term
for the formal reading of a criminal
complaint, in the presence of the
defendant, to inform him of the
charges against him. In response
to arraignment, the accused is expected
to enter a plea. Acceptable pleas
vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,
but they generally include "guilty",
"not guilty", and the
peremptory pleas (or pleas in bar),
which set out reasons why a trial
cannot proceed. In addition, US
jurisdictions allow pleas of "nolo
contendere" (no contest) and
the "Alford plea" in some
circumstances.
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